Officers issued 6,671 tickets to motorists and cyclists who were found committing offences. Of the tickets issued:

3,691 tickets were issued to motorists for offences such as opening vehicle doors improperly, and failing to yield to cyclists,

2,076 tickets were issued to cyclists for disobeying traffic signals and failing to yield to pedestrians,

904 tickets were issued to cyclists for bicycle equipment offences,

113 parking tickets were issued for parking in designated bike lanes,

1,891 motorists and cyclists were cautioned with respect to a variety of related offences,

89 bike rodeos/lectures involving 3,410 participants were held across the city.

The Toronto Police Service reminds motorists of the dangers of opening car doors in the path of cyclists, and the importance of checking blind spots prior to making a turn, especially for large trucks. All road-users have a responsibility to share the road equally by driving safety, riding responsibly, playing smart, and obeying all the rules of the road.

Last week, Toronto Police Services 11 Division sent out an email regarding a week-long bicycle safety blitz starting today. The blitz covers various parts of 11 Division, including The Junction, High Park, Roncesvalles, and Bloor West Village.

They will be cracking down on cyclists who disobey traffic rules, especially sidewalk cycling. They really made sure to spell out the details of the sidewalk cycling bylaws and how they are enforced. No word on whether they will also crack down on motorists parked in the Runnymede bike lane, joggers in the High Park bike lane, or motorists doing crazy stuff pretty much wherever they please.

You can read the text of the email below.

<

blockquote>The 11 Division Traffic Unit has received a number of community complaints related to traffic safety issues within the division. In High Park both bicycles and motor vehicles frequently speed and fail to obey stop signs within the park. Additionally, bicycles ridden on the sidewalk endangering pedestrians is a problem in Bloor West Village, The Junction and in Roncesvalles Village.

A traffic safety initiative to address these concerns comprised of both enforcement and educational components will commence on Monday 05 May 2008 and conclude on Sunday 11 May 2008. Any traffic related concerns can be directed to 11 Division’s Traffic Unit by phoning 416-808-1100.

Traffic Safety continues to be an ongoing priority of the Toronto Police Service.The daily commute in and out of Toronto involves approximately 1.2 million vehicles. All users of the road share the responsibility of making this daily commute safe. A safe and orderly commute in and out of the city contributes significantly to a better quality of life for all citizens. High traffic volumes contribute to reduced road safety as well as increased driver frustration, commute times and congestion. Commuter frustration often results in aggressive driving, traffic signal violations, misuse of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, illegal parking and general traffic gridlock. The Toronto Police Service will be initiating a zero tolerance enforcement campaign entitled "Operation – Safe Commute". The campaign will commence on Monday, 2008 January 28, and conclude on Friday, 2008 February 01. All police officers and parking enforcement officers will be paying particular attention to all infractions that impede the safe, orderly flow of traffic.

Sgt. Roy Sorgo #469014 Division, Traffic Response Unit

They will probably be issuing more tickets to motorists, pedestrians AND cyclists this week. Watch for it.

But maybe we can also take this as an opportunity to get the police to take action against motorist behaviour that endangers cyclists! Zero tolerance, right? If you see someone parked in the bike lane, call it in! Someone cuts you off? Call it in! Harassed by an aggressive driver? Call it in!

Let them know that cyclists are still out on the roads in the winter, and that we demand respect from other road users. Police should be cracking down on the people who wield the most dangerous weapons against the most vulnerable.

Keep these phone numbers with you:

Traffic Services: 416-808-1900

Parking Enforcement: 416-808-6600

And of course, if something ever happens to you out on the road, please consult the ARC Library for some suggestions on how to follow up.

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, the Toronto Police Service concluded the one-week `Safe Cycling - Share the Responsibility' campaign. This was the third initiative undertaken as part of the Service's comprehensive traffic safety strategy, "Operation Safe Journey".

Officers issued 4,841 tickets to motorists and cyclists who were found committing offences. Of the tickets issued:

<

ul>

2,870 tickets were issued to motorists for offences such as opening vehicle doors improperly and failing to yield to cyclists,

1,444 tickets were issued to cyclists for disobeying traffic signals and failing to yield to
pedestrians,